Anti-terror censorship: France blocks 5 sites without court order

France has blocked five websites suspected of condoning terrorism and spreading hate speech, marking the first usage of new anti-terrorism powers approved by parliament last year that allow such bans without court orders.

“I do not want to
see sites that could lead people to take up arms on the
Internet,” French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said
at a public meeting Monday.

“I make a distinction between freedom of expression and the
spread of messages that serve to glorify terrorism. These hate
messages are a crime,” he added. Internet service providers
were given 24 hours to comply.

Among the sites that are being restricted is al-Hayat Media
Center, accused of possible links with Islamic State militants,
according to Cazeneuve. The ministry also says it plans to target
“dozens” of other similar websites.

Internet service providers have been given 24 hours to take
“all necessary measures to block the listing of these
addresses” under the new rules introduced in November last
year.

It is the first time the new powers have been put to use to block
websites without going through a court with due diligence.
Visitors to the sites are now redirected to a page from the
French Interior Ministry, containing a warning graphic of a big
red palm, reading “the contents...incites terrorism or
justifies terror acts.”

France is still on high alert under Operation Sentinel which
mobilized over 10,000 troops on French soil to protect 682
sensitive sites across the country including religious sites,
railway stations, airports, and tourist attractions in the wake
of a rise in religious tensions following Charlie Hebdo attacks
in January.